8 lessons I learned as an international student in Perth

Hi, I'm Grace! I moved to Perth from Indonesia when I was 18, carrying two suitcases, big dreams and absolutely no idea what adulthood would actually look like. 

I came to Australia as an international student, excited but quietly terrified. I had to learn everything at once - how to study, work, manage money, make friends and build a life far from home. 

Over time, Perth became the place where I grew into myself. Living, studying, and working in Perth taught me that thriving abroad isn't about having everything figured out, it's about learning on the go.

Here are some of the biggest lessons I learned along the way.

1. Being alone doesn't always mean being lonely

When I first arrived, the quiet time were confronting. I went from a busy household to learning how to sit with myself. At times it felt lonely, but it also taught me independence. 

I learned how to enjoy my own company, build routines and find purpose in small daily wins. Perth's calm pace helped me slow down, reflect and become comfortable with my personal growth.

2. Saying yes opens doors you didn't know existed

Some of my closest friendships started with a simple "Hi, what's your name?"

Saying yes to conversations, group assignments, part-time work and new experiences helped me build a support system. The people I met during my student years became my support system. We studied together, worked together and grew together. 

Those early connections made a huge difference in helping Perth feel like home.

3. Budgeting is a learning curve (and a very real one)

I arrived with the best intentions to save money, but I quickly learned how tempting café culture can be!

Living in Perth taught me how to balance enjoying life while being realistic about expenses. Over time, I became more mindful about spending, planning ahead and prioritising experiences that truly mattered. It wasn't perfect, but it was progress. 

4. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness

At first, I thought I had to do everything on my own but then I realised that asking for help is part of adapting to a new country. Whether it was classmates, lecturers, colleagues, or friends, people were often more willing to help than I expected. Learning to reach out made my journey easier and far more meaningful.

5. Embracing my access helped me find my confidence

I used to be shy about how I spoke. Over time, I realised that Australia is made up of people from all over the world, and my access was part of my story.

Learning to communicate confidently, speak up, and share my ideas helped me grow personally and professionally. What once felt like a weakness became something I was proud of.

6. Living abroad teaches you resilience

Coming from a tropical country, I even had to adjust to a new climate. But, adapting to living in Perth also taught me how to be flexible and resilient, and how to stay grounded even when things felt unpredictable.

7. Growth can be uncomfortable, and that's okay

Some of the hardest moments were also the most transformative. Every challenge and moment of doubt helped me gain confidence and clarity. I learned that growth doesn't always feel good in the moment, but it always moved you forward. 

8. Finding home in people

Perth didn't feel like home right away. Over time, through friendships, shared experiences, and everyday moments, it did. 

Home, I learned, is not just a place. It is the people you laugh with, study with, and support through deadlines and milestones.

Perth gave me space to grow, a community to belong to, and the foundation to build my adult life. While my journey has now moved beyond student life, the lessons I learned during those years continue to shape who I am today. And for that, I'll always be grateful.

This story was originally published by Study Australia.